St. James Parish President Timothy Roussel was indicted Wednesday on six counts of malfeasance in office, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said.

Roussel is accused of defrauding St. James Parish residents in excess of $70,000. Landry's office said the indictment comes after a joint investigation with the district attorney's office.

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“The public should be able to trust that their government works for them in an admirable and respectable way,” Landry said. “My office will not stand for corrupt officials, elected or appointed.”

Landry said that Roussel is accused of authorizing the construction of approximately 4,500 feet of a natural-gas line, a 10,000-unit gas meter and additional supplies to a private company. He is also accused of authorizing parish employees to install the gas line and meter on private property.

In addition to the previous accusations, Landry said Roussel authorized a public employee to arrange the hiring of a private company to drive approximately 24 piles on private property while also allowing the parish to issue a check from the parish treasurer to the company for its pile-driving work.

Roussel wasn't the only person in the parish to be indicted. Landry said Blaise Gravois, director of operations, and Ashley Poche, assistant finance director, were indicted on corruption charges.

Landry said that Roussel is accused of authorizing Gravois to use public employees and public equipment for the removal of a shed from private property, the demolition of a private mobile home on private property and the removal of a playhouse and debris on a private lot. Roussel is also alleged to have authorized the use of public employees and public equipment to enhance and-or improve private property for the sole benefit of its owners.

"We are committed to bringing those who abuse the public’s trust to justice,” Landry said.

Additional details about the investigation were not released.

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